`MS-Express` Bermudagrass

ABSTRACT

An improved Bermudagrass plant, having superior properties, suitable for a variety of turf applications, is disclosed. The Bermudagrass is characterized by a medium green color, high-head density, moderate seed-head density, fine-leaf texture, good fall color retention, average sod strength, excellent cold tolerance, good shade tolerance as compared to other Bermudagrasses, good dollar spot, and good leaf-spot resistance.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Bermudagrass, which has excellent turfgrass quality, good pest resistance and above-average environmental stress hardiness. The inventive Bermudagrass is suitable for use on residential lawns, sports fields, golf fairways and tess.

The inventive Bermudagrass is characterized by a medium green color, high-shoot density, moderate seed head-density, fine-leaf texture, good fall color retention, average sod strength, excellent cold tolerance, good shade tolerance as compared to other Bermuda grasses, good dollar spot and good leaf-spot resistance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The plant is illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, which are color photographs of the inventive Bermudagrass.

FIG. 1 reflects whole plant features of mowed and unmowed turf.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of a field plot of mowed turf.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of a typical inflorescence structure showing three racemes per stalk.

FIG. 4 is a photograph reflecting the leaf blade and sheath features of the inventive plant.

FIG. 5 is a photograph reflecting an abaxial view of spikelets of the inventive Bermudagrass.

FIG. 6 is a photograph reflecting an adaxial view of spikelets of the inventive Bermudagrass.

MS-Express (experimental name MSB 20) is a distinct genotype of Cynodon that was developed and is vegatatively propagated at the Plant Science Research Center, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Mississippi State, Miss. MS-Express originated from a single clone collected, from the 10th fairway at the Shady Oaks Country Club, Jackson, Miss. on Aug. 21, 1980. Persons knowledgeable of Shady Oaks Country Club's history said that this fairway was established with Bermudagrass seed in the 1913, has existed as a golf fairway since its original planting, and had not been intentionally replanted with Bermudagrass seed, sprigs, plugs or sod since 1913.

MS-Express's origin may be from anyone of the following sources: (a) a seed within the original seed lot; (b) a seed or plant introduced unintentionally to this site; or (c) a plant which developed as a result of an environmentally selected mutations.

The identifying features of the original clone of MS-Express were a medium green color, very fine leaf texture, prostrate leaf growth, and a high shoot density. The size of the original clone was approximately 2 ft in diameter. A 4 inch diameter plug was removed from the center of the clone and transplanted to a Bermudagrass nursery located at the Plant Science Research Center. MS-Express was 1 to 72 ecotypes of Bermudagrass planted and maintained in this nursery.

MS-Express was evaluated for 5 years in this nursery. During this period, MS-Express maintained its original green color, very fine leaf texture, prostrate growth of leaves, and high shoot density.

In 1986, MS-Express was included in a regional Bermudagrass evaluation trial located at 15 sites encompassing 11 states. Data was collected from 1986 to 1990. The findings from this study confirmed MS-Express's light to medium green color, prostrate leaf growth, and high shoot density.

Morphological Description

MS-Express has a medium leaf width (1.6 to 2.0 mm), short leaf length (17.8 to 29.8 mm), medium internode length (8.1 to 14.1 mm), medium internode diameter, (0.78 to 1.12 mm), and medium node diameter (1.03 to 1.47 mm) (Table 1).

Seed Head Density

The seed head density of MS-Express was measured at 3 location for 2 or 3 years depending on location (Table 2). At all three locations, MS-Express had slightly higher than average seed head density compared to the other Bermudagrasses tested.

Genetic Color

The genetic color of MS-Express was visually rated at 7 locations for 1 or 2 years depending on location (Table 3). At all locations, MS-Express's color was rated light to medium green. The stolons are light green and rhizomes are white.

The color designation of MS-Express is 7.5 GY 5/8 using a Munsell color chart rating.

Shoot Density

The shoot density of MS-Express was measured at 2 location for 1 or 2 years depending on location (Table 4). MS-Express has a high shoot density that ranked average or slightly higher compared to the other Bermudagrasses tested.

Shade Tolerance

The shade tolerance of MS-Express was measured at 1 location for 2 years (Table 5). MS-Express has a good tolerance to shade that ranked above average compared to the other Bermudagrasses tested.

Ploidy Level and Chromosome Number

MS-Express's ploidy level and chromosome number were determined and compared to other Bermudagrasses (Table 6). MS-Express was found to be a triploid with 27 chromosomes.

Turfgrass Quality Rating

The overall turf quality of MS-Express was measured at 15 locations for 1, 2, or 3 years depending on location (Table 7). MS-Express has excellent turfgrass quality. In comparison to other Bermudagrasses tested, MS-Expressed at or near the top of the rankings depending on location.

Leaf Texture

Leaf texture based on a visual comparison was measured at 8 locations for 1 or 2 years depending on location (Table 8). MS-Express has a fine leaf texture that ranked well above average when compared to the other Bermudagrasses tested.

Establishment Rate

The establishment rate of MS-Express was measured at 6 locations during the 1986 establishment year (Table 9). MS-Express had the highest establishment rate 4 to 5 weeks after planting compared to the other Bermudagrasses tested.

Fall Color Retention

Fall color retention of MS-Express was measured during the month of November at 6 locations for 1 or 3 years depending on location (Table 10). MS-Express had good fall color retention that ranked at or slightly less than average when compared to other the other Bermudagrasses tested.

Unmowed Height and Sod Strength

The unmowed height and sod strength of MS-Express was measured at 1 location for 1 year and 1 location for 2 years, respectively (Table 11). MS-Express had a low unmowed height and average sod strength compared to the other Bermudagrasses tested.

Low Temperature Kill

The low temperature kill of MS-Express was measured at 1 location for 2 consecutive years (Table 12). During both years, MS-Express showed better than average low temperature tolerance compared to the other Bermudagrasses tested.

Disease Resistance

MS-Express's resistance to leafspot (Helminthosporium spp.) and dollar spot (Sclerotinia spp.) was measured at 1 location for 2 years (Table 13). MS-Express showed good resistance to leafspot and slightly above average susceptibility to dollar spot compared to other Bermudagrasses tested.

Distinguishing Features of MS-Express

MS-Express can be distinguished by morphological and turf performance characteristics. MS-Express has high turf density and quality as illustrated in pot and field plot culture (FIG. 1 and 2). MS-Express's shoot structure is pilose on the abaxial and adaxial leaf blade surfaces, pubescence tufted at the ligule margins, and glabrous on the adaxial leaf surface and sheath (FIG. 4). MS-Express has a raceme inflorescence structure with 3 racemes attached per stalk in a single whorl (FIG. 3). Spikelet density is one spikelet attached every 1.73 mm on the raceme stalk. Length of an average spikelet is 2.30 mm with glumes extending 1/3 to 1/2 the length of a floret (FIG. 5 and 6). The flower of MS-Express has a purple stigma and yellow anthers.

MS-Express has a narrower leaf than MS-Choice and Midiron, but a wider leaf width than MS-Pride, Tifgreen, Tifway II, and Tifway (Table 1). Leaf length of MS-Express is shorter than Midiron and Tufcote. There were no difference in internode length between MS-Express and the other Bermudagrasses tested. The internode and node diameters of MS-Express were larger than MS-Pride, Tifway II, and Tifway, but smaller than MS-Choice and Texturf 10. Seed head density of MS-Express was higher than MS-Choice, Tifway, Tifway II, Texturf 10, Tufcote, Midiron, and MS-Pride (Table 2).

MS-Express has turf performance characteristics that distinguish it from other Bermudagrasses. Compared to other fine textured Bermudgrasses, MS-Express has a significantly faster rate of establishment (Table 9). This feature is important under putting green management because rapid establishment reflects a shortened time prior to playability. In addition, MS-Express showed excellent tolerance to winter kill (Table 12) and a fine leaf texture (Table 8). These characteristics are important because Bermudagrass winter kill is common in the South and fine texture is necessary for putting green quality.

MS-Express, like all turf grasses, has a tendency to thatch. The tendency to thatch in this grass is limited. The thatch is comprised of dead leaves, dead or living stolons and dead or living crowns. In contrast to other Bermudagrasses, MS-Express has an average tendency to thatch.

The mowing height range for MS-Express is from 3/16-3/4 inches. This Bermudagrass is suitable for use for golf putting greens.

Other performance characteristics of MS-Express ranked above average and included good turf quality, high shoot density, good fall color retention, good shade tolerance, and good disease resistance.

The following additional distinctive features are noted:

(a) Leaf color is lime green and rated a 7.5 GY 5/8 based on a Munsell® color chart for plant tissue. There is no anthocyanin pigmentation expressed in leaves during the fall. The average leaf width is 1.8 mm and average length 23.8 mm.

(b) The grass has a dense canopy of leaves erect from a prostrate base of creeping, strong stolons. Rhizomes are branched profusely. Stolon color is 5 GY 6/8 based on a Munsell® color chart for plant tissue. There is no anthocyanin pigmentation expressed in stolons during the fall. The average stolon internode diameter is 0.95 mm, the average stolon node diameter is 1.25 mm, and average stolon internode length is 11.1 mm.

(c) The grass has an extensive fibrous root system initiated from the nodes of stolons and rhizomes.

(d) Leaves are folded in the bud shoot; the blades are mostly flat or slightly V-shaped with only the midvein visible; and the leaf tip is tapered to an acute apex.

(e) The grass has a moderate frequency of inflorescence formation having an average density of 235 inflorescences per square meter. Average height of culms is 30 mm. The inflorescences consists of 2 to 3 digitate spikes at the top of the main stem, folded down at a 30 to 40 degree angle from vertical, spikelets sessiled and closely appressed. The average length of each spike is 32 mm.

(f) The grass blade is pilose on the abaxial and adaxial surface. The ligule consists of a fringe of hairs. The sheath is glabrous, split with margins overlapping, and pubescence tufted at the side of the ligule. The collar is a continuous narrow band, glabrous and auricles are absent.

(g) The spikelets are glabrous in two rows, blunt at their base and pointed at their tips. Spikelets are attached an average distance of 1.73 mm along the spikes, borne singly on short branches. The length of an average spikelet is 2.3 mm with glumes extending 1/3 to 1/2 the length of a floret. The spikelet has stigmas of light purple-red color rated as a 5 RP 7/8 based on a Munsel® color chart for plant tissue.

(h) The grass has a somatic chromosome number of 27 and classed as a triploid.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         A quantitative comparison of morphological features for describing the         whole plant morphology of MS-Express and eight other bermudagrasses.                     Leaf    Leaf    Internode                                                                             Internode                                                                             Node                                   Bermudagrass                                                                             Width   Length  Length Diameter                                                                              Diameter                               Entry     mm                                                                   ______________________________________                                         MS-Pride  1.3     29.0    11.8   0.65   0.85                                   MS-Choice 2.4     22.6    10.2   1.43   1.65                                   Midiron   2.3     35.8    15.7   1.00   1.35                                   Texturf 10                                                                               1.8     22.9    9.4    1.28   1.28                                   Turfcote  1.7     33.7    12.9   1.10   1.33                                   MS-Express                                                                               1.8     23.8    11.1   0.95   1.25                                   Tifgreen  1.3     22.3    9.4    0.90   1.22                                   TIfway II 1.3     27.2    10.9   0.64   0.85                                   Tifway    1.2     28.2    11.8   0.67   0.89                                   LSD (.05) 0.22    5.66    3.02   0.172  0.222                                  Mean      1.65    27.27   11.47  0.93   1.18                                   ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         Comparative seed head density of MS-Express and nine other                     bermudagrasses.                                                                        Field Plot Locations                                                   Bermudagrass                                                                             Starkville   Las Cruces                                                                               Blacksburg                                    Entry     Mississippi  New Mexico                                                                               Virginia                                      ______________________________________                                         MS-Choice 8.8.sup.1    9.0       9.0                                           Tifgreen  4.0          4.7       6.2                                           Tifway    7.0          7.8       8.2                                           Tifway II 7.3          7.8       7.8                                           Texturf 10                                                                               5.3          8.0       6.7                                           Tufcote   7.5          5.3       7.7                                           Midiron   5.7          5.0       7.3                                           MS-Pride  7.3          7.9       7.7                                           MS-Express                                                                               4.3          5.1       6.5                                           Arizona Common                                                                           4.7          5.9       6.7                                           LSD (.05) 0.77         0.67      0.82                                          Mean      6.2          6.6       7.4                                           Cultivar X Year                                                                          *            **        **                                            interaction.                                                                   Years data was                                                                           1987         1986      1987                                          collected.                                                                               1988         1987      1988                                                                 1988                                                    ______________________________________                                          .sup.1 Seed head density rating based on a 1 to 9 scale; with 1 = high         seed head density and 9 = no seed heads.                                       *,** Significant at the .05 and .01 level of probability, respectively.  

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         Comparative genetic color of MS-Express and nine other bermudagrasses.         ______________________________________                                                  Field Plot Location                                                   Bermudagrass                                                                              Tucson  Santa Ana Gainsville                                                                            Starkville                                 Entry      Arizona California                                                                               Florida                                                                               Mississippi                                ______________________________________                                         MS-Choice  7.0.sup.1                                                                              9.0       7.3    7.7                                        Tifgreen   6.3     7.0       5.2    5.0                                        Tifway     6.7     8.0       7.0    6.3                                        Tifway II  6.3     8.0       6.8    7.0                                        Texturf 10 6.3     7.7       5.8    5.3                                        Tufcote    6.7     6.7       5.8    5.0                                        Midiron    6.7     7.7       5.7    5.3                                        MS-Pride   6.0     7.7       6.8    7.0                                        MS-Express 6.3     7.7       6.2    5.0                                        Arizona Common                                                                            5.3     5.7       5.2    5.0                                        LSD (.05)  NS      0.75      0.55   0.65                                       Mean       6.4     7.5       6.2    5.9                                        Cultivar X Year              **                                                interaction.                                                                   Years data was                                                                            1987    1987      1987   1988                                       collected.                   1988                                              ______________________________________                                                 Field Plot Location                                                    Bermudagrass                                                                             Las Cruces   Stilwater                                                                               Cleveland                                      Entry     New Mexico   Oklahoma Texas                                          ______________________________________                                         MS-Choice 7.5          8.0      8.7                                            Tifgreen  6.8          6.3      7.7                                            Tifway    7.0          7.7      9.0                                            Tifway II 7.7          6.0      8.0                                            Texturf 10                                                                               7.0          7.3      8.0                                            Tufcote   7.2          4.7      7.3                                            Midiron   6.3          6.7      7.0                                            MS-Pride  7.7          7.0      8.7                                            MS-Express                                                                               6.7          6.3      7.7                                            Arizona Common                                                                           5.5          6.0      6.7                                            LSD (.05) NS           1.08     0.80                                           Mean      6.9          6.6      7.9                                            Cultivar X Year                                                                          NS                                                                   interaction.                                                                   Years data was                                                                           1986         1988     1988                                           collected.                                                                               1987                                                                 ______________________________________                                          .sup.1 Genetic color rating based on a 1 to 9 scale; with 1 = light green      color and 9 = dark green color.                                                *,** Significant at the .05 and .01 level of probability, respectively.  

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         Comparative shoot density of MS-Express and nine other bermudagrasses.                       Field Plot Location                                              Bermudagrass    Las Cruces                                                                               Stillwater                                           Entry           New Mexico                                                                               Oklahoma                                             ______________________________________                                         MS-Choice       8.4.sup.1 8.0                                                  Tifgreen        8.4       7.7                                                  MS-Pride        8.1       7.3                                                  Texturf 10      7.8       8.0                                                  Tifway          7.7       7.7                                                  Midiron         7.9       7.0                                                  Tifway II       7.3       7.7                                                  MS-Express      7.3       7.3                                                  Tufcote         6.3       7.7                                                  Arizona Common  3.9       6.0                                                  LSD (0.05)      0.61      0.95                                                 Mean            7.3       7.5                                                  Entry x Year    **        NA                                                   Interaction                                                                    Year(s) data was                                                                               1986      1987                                                 recorded        1987                                                           ______________________________________                                          .sup.1 Shoot density rating based on a visual scale; with 1 = low density      and 9 = high density.                                                          *, ** Significant at the 0.05 and 0.01 level of probability, respectively

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                         Comparative shade tolerance of                                                 MS-Express and nine other bermudagrasses.sup.1.                                Bermudagrass                                                                   Entry          Shade Tolerance                                                 ______________________________________                                         MS-Choice      4.9.sup.2                                                       MS-Pride       4.5                                                             Tifgreen       4.3                                                             MS-Express     4.3                                                             Tifway II      3.8                                                             Tifway         3.7                                                             Texturf 10     3.5                                                             Tufcote        3.4                                                             Arizona Common 2.5                                                             Midiron        2.1                                                             LSD (0.05)     0.39                                                            Mean           3.7                                                             Cultivar X Year                                                                               **                                                              interaction                                                                    Years data was 1987                                                            collected      1988                                                            ______________________________________                                          .sup.1 Field plots located in Starkville, MS.                                  .sup.2 Shade tolerance based on a visual scale of 1 to 9: with 9 =             excellent shade tolerance and 1 = poor shade tolerance.                        *, ** Significant at the 0.05 and 0.01 level of probability, respectively

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                         The ploidy level and chromosome number of MS-Express and nine other            bermudagrasses.                                                                Bermudagrass                                                                   Entry        Ploidy Level                                                                             Chromosome Number                                       ______________________________________                                         MS-Choice    Tetraploid                                                                               .sup. 36.sup.1                                          Texturf 10             36                                                      Turfcote               36                                                      Midiron                36                                                      Arizona Common         36                                                      MS-Express   Triploid  27                                                      MS-Pride               27                                                      Tifgreen               27                                                      Tifway                 27                                                      Tifway II              27                                                      ______________________________________                                          .sup.1 Chromosome numbers were determined using squashes of root tips.   

                  TABLE 7                                                          ______________________________________                                         Comparative turfgrass quality of                                               MS-Express and nine other bermudagrasses.                                      ______________________________________                                                  Field Plot Location                                                   Bermudagrass                                                                              Tucson  Santa Ana Riverside                                                                              Gainsville                                Entry      Arizona California                                                                               California                                                                             Florida                                   ______________________________________                                         MS-Choice  7.5.sup.1                                                                              6.3       4.9     5.7                                       Tifgreen   7.3     5.8       5.4     4.8                                       Tifway     7.8     6.5       5.5     5.8                                       Tifway II  7.9     6.5       5.7     5.7                                       Texturf 10 7.8     5.8       5.1     5.1                                       Tufcote    7.3     5.4       5.2     5.6                                       Midiron    6.2     5.8       4.9     4.9                                       MS-Pride   8.3     6.5       5.3     6.0                                       MS-Express 7.8     5.9       5.8     5.2                                       Arizona Common                                                                            5.5     4.4       4.7     4.9                                       LSD (.05)  0.54    0.33      0.55    0.32                                      Mean       7.3     5.9       5.2     5.4                                       Cultivar X Year    **        NS      **                                        interaction.                                                                   Year(s) data was                                                                          1988    1986      1986    1987                                      collected.         1987      1987    1988                                                                   1988    1988                                      ______________________________________                                                  Field Plot Location                                                   Bermudagrass                                                                              Manhattan                                                                               Wichita Baton Rogue                                                                            Silver Springs                             Entry      Kansas   Kansas  Louisiana                                                                              Maryland                                   ______________________________________                                         MS-Choice  6.9      8.0     7.0     6.0                                        Tifgreen   6.9      7.8     7.7     6.2                                        Tifway     6.3      8.2     7.6     6.3                                        Tifway II  6.5      8.4     7.6     6.4                                        Texturf 10 6.7      7.9     6.9     5.3                                        Tufcote    6.9      7.7     7.3     5.8                                        Midiron    6.7      7.7     6.7     5.4                                        MS-Pride   6.5      8.3     7.5     6.4                                        MS-Express 6.8      8.1     7.6     7.7                                        Arizona Common                                                                            5.0      5.9     6.3     5.0                                        LSD (.05)  0.38     0.30    0.59    NS                                         Mean       6.5      7.8     7.2     6.1                                        Cultivar X Year                                                                           **       **      *                                                  interaction.                                                                   Year(s) data was                                                                          1987     1986    1987    1988                                       collected. 1988     1987    1988                                                                           1988                                               ______________________________________                                                  Field Plot Location                                                   Bermudagrass                                                                              Starkville                                                                               Las Cruces                                                                               Cleveland                                                                             Beltsville                               Entry      Mississippi                                                                              New Mexico                                                                               Texas  Maryland                                 MS-Choice  6.1.sup.1 7.3       8.0    7.0                                      Tifgreen   7.4       6.3       9.0    7.3                                      Tifway     6.7       7.0       7.7    6.6                                      Tifway II  6.9       7.5       8.0    6.8                                      Texturf 10 5.6       6.8       5.7    6.5                                      Tufcote    5.5       6.2       5.7    6.7                                      Midiron    5.1       6.5       5.3    5.8                                      MS-Pride   6.9       7.2       8.0    6.9                                      MS-Express 7.6       6.7       8.7    7.0                                      Arizona Common                                                                            4.1       3.8       4.0    4.5                                      LSD (.05)  0.19      0.49      1.14   0.38                                     Mean       6.2       6.5       7.0    6.5                                      Cultivar X Year                                                                           **        **        NA     **                                       interaction.                                                                   Year(s) data was                                                                          1986      1986      1988   1986                                     collected. 1987      1987             1987                                                1988      1988             1988                                     ______________________________________                                                  Field Plot Location                                                   Bermudagrass                                                                              Blacksburg Blackstone Virginia Beach                                Entry      Virginia   Virginia   Virginia                                      ______________________________________                                         MS-Choice  5.9        6.8        6.7                                           Tifgreen   5.9        6.8        6.2                                           Tifway     6.5        7.0        6.3                                           Tifway II  6.1        6.8        6.9                                           Texturf 10 6.0        6.6        5.7                                           Tufcote    5.8        6.4        4.9                                           Midiron    5.0        5.8        5.9                                           MS-Pride   5.8        6.8        6.4                                           MS-Express 6.5        6.8        6.0                                           Arizona Common                                                                            4.2        5.0        3.9                                           LSD (.05)  0.43       0.38       0.77                                          Mean       5.8        6.5        5.9                                           Cultivar X Year                                                                           *          **         NA                                            interaction.                                                                   Year(s) data was                                                                          1986       1986       1986                                          collected. 1987       1988                                                                1988                                                                ______________________________________                                          .sup.1 Turfgrass quality ratings based on a 1 to 9 scale with 1 = poor         turfgrass quality and 9 = excellent turf quality.                              *, ** Significant at the .05 and .01 level of probability, respectively. 

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                         Comparative leaf texture of MS-Express and nine other bermudagrasses.          ______________________________________                                                  Field Plot Locations                                                             Tucson   Wichita  Gainsville                                                                            Starkville                                 Cultivar   Arizona  Kansas   Florida                                                                               Mississippi                                ______________________________________                                         MS-Choice  5.3.sup.1                                                                               6.7      5.7    5.0                                        Tifgreen   7.3      9.0      7.5    7.7                                        Tifway     7.0      7.7      7.8    6.0                                        Tifway II  6.3      8.3      8.2    6.0                                        Texturf 10 5.7      8.0      5.5    5.0                                        Tufcote    5.7      6.0      7.0    5.0                                        Midiron    5.3      4.0      5.8    5.0                                        MS-Pride   6.7      7.3      8.0    6.0                                        MS-Express 7.7      9.0      7.3    8.0                                        Arizona Common                                                                            4.3      3.7      2.7    4.3                                        LSD (.05)  0.92     0.68     1.01   0.43                                       Mean       6.1      7.0      6.6    5.8                                        Cultivar X Year              **                                                interaction.                                                                   Year(s) data was                                                                          1987     1986     1987   1988                                       collected.                   1988                                              ______________________________________                                                  Field Plot Locations                                                             Las Cruces Baton Rogue                                                                               Virginia                                      Cultivar   New Mexico Louisiana  Virginia                                      ______________________________________                                         MS-Choice  6.5        6.3        4.7                                           Tifgreen   9.0        9.0        7.0                                           Tifway     8.2        9.0        6.0                                           Tifway II  8.3        9.0        5.7                                           Texturf 10 5.8        6.3        5.7                                           Tufcote    6.7        9.0        3.7                                           Midiron    6.8        7.7        4.3                                           MS-Pride   8.5        9.0        6.0                                           MS-Express 8.8        9.0        6.0                                           Arizona Common                                                                            4.2        6.3        2.3                                           LSD (.05)  0.79       0.79       1.19                                          Mean       7.3        8.1        5.1                                           Cultivar X Year                                                                           **                                                                  interaction.                                                                   Year(s) data was                                                                          1986       1988       1988                                          collected. 1987                                                                ______________________________________                                          .sup.1 Leaf texture rating based on a 1 to 9 scale; with 1 = coarse leaf       texture and 9 = fine leaf texture.                                             *, ** Significant at the 0.05 and 0.01 level of probability, respectively

                  TABLE 9                                                          ______________________________________                                         Comparative establishment rate 4-5 weeks after planting of MS-                 Express and 27 other bermudagrasses..sup.1                                              Field Plot Locations                                                  Bermudagrass                                                                              Starkville  Beltsville                                                                              Blacksburg                                     Entry      Mississippi Maryland Virginia                                       ______________________________________                                         MS-Express 3.0         7.0      2.7                                            Az-Common  6.3         7.0      2.7                                            Numex Sahara                                                                              5.7         7.3      2.3                                            NMS 15     4.7         8.0      3.3                                            FB-119     4.3         5.7      2.7                                            NMS 2      4.0         8.0      2.7                                            Tifgreen   3.3         6.0      2.3                                            RS-1       3.3         6.0      3.0                                            A-29       3.3         6.7      1.7                                            Midlawn    3.3         5.0      3.0                                            Vamont     3.7         5.7      2.3                                            NM 43      2.7         5.7      2.0                                            Sonesta    2.7         6.3      2.7                                            MS-Choice  3.3         4.3      2.3                                            NMS 4      3.7         5.7      2.0                                            Texturf 10 3.0         4.7      2.0                                            Midfield   4.3         6.0      2.3                                            Guymon     3.7         5.3      2.7                                            NM 471     3.3         4.0      2.0                                            NM 507     3.3         4.0      2.0                                            Tifway     2.3         4.0      2.3                                            Midiron    3.3         4.7      1.7                                            Tufcote    3.0         4.0      2.0                                            Tifway II  2.3         4.3      2.0                                            NM 72      2.7         2.7      2.0                                            MS-Pride   1.7         3.0      1.7                                            NM 375     2.7         2.3      1.7                                            CT-23      2.0         3.0      1.7                                            LSD (.05)  1.3         1.1      0.7                                            ______________________________________                                                  Field Plot Locations                                                  Bermudagrass                                                                              Blackstone  Virginia Beach                                          Entry      Virginia    Virginia   Mean                                         ______________________________________                                         MS-Express 7.3         5.3        5.1                                          Az-Common  7.3         5.3        5.0                                          Numex Sahara                                                                              4.7         3.3        4.7                                          NMS 15     4.0         3.3        4.7                                          FB-119     6.3         4.0        4.6                                          NMS 2      4.3         3.7        4.5                                          Tifgreen   5.3         4.7        4.3                                          RS-1       4.3         3.7        4.1                                          A-29       4.7         4.0        4.1                                          Midlawn    4.3         3.7        3.9                                          Vamont     4.3         4.3        3.9                                          NM 43      4.3         3.3        3.8                                          Sonesta    3.7         3.7        3.9                                          MS-Choice  4.7         3.7        3.7                                          NMS 4      3.7         2.7        3.5                                          Texturf 10 4.0         4.0        3.5                                          Midfield   2.7         2.0        3.5                                          Guymon     3.0         2.7        3.5                                          NM 471     4.3         3.0        3.3                                          NM 507     4.7         2.3        3.3                                          Tifway     4.7         2.0        3.1                                          Midiron    3.0         2.3        3.0                                          Tufcote    3.3         1.3        2.7                                          Tifway II  2.7         2.0        2.7                                          NM 72      3.3         1.7        2.5                                          MS-Pride   3.7         2.0        2.4                                          NM 375     2.3         2.0        2.2                                          CT-23      1.7         1.0        1.9                                          LSD (.05)  1.5         1.3        0.5                                          ______________________________________                                          .sup.1 Comparative establishment rate based on a visual scale of 1 to 9;       with 1 = minimal cover and 9 = complete cover.                           

                  TABLE 10                                                         ______________________________________                                         Comparative fall color retention of                                            MS-Pride and nine other bermudagrasses.                                        Field Plot Location                                                            Bermuda-         Raleigh  Starkville     Loc. 2                                grass   Beltsville                                                                              North    Mississ-                                                                              Las Cruces                                                                             New                                   Entry   Maryland Carolina ippi   New Mexico                                                                             Mexico                                ______________________________________                                         MS-Pride                                                                               5.3.sup.1                                                                               6.7      6.5    4.3     5.3                                   Tifway  4.8      6.7      6.2    4.6     5.7                                   Tifway II                                                                              4.5      7.3      6.5    4.4     5.7                                   Tufcote 2.8      6.3      5.3    3.2     3.3                                   Midirion                                                                               2.3      3.7      4.2    3.1     3.3                                   Texturf 10                                                                             2.2      5.3      3.2    2.6     5.0                                   MS-Choice                                                                              2.0      5.7      4.2    3.4     4.3                                   Tifgreen                                                                               2.0      6.3      3.2    2.0     4.0                                   MS-Express                                                                             1.7      6.7      3.0    2.1     4.3                                   Arizona 1.7      5.7      4.5    3.4     2.3                                   Common                                                                         LSD (0.05)                                                                             0.68     1.54     0.43   0.76    1.74                                  Mean    2.9      6.0      4.7    3.3     4.3                                   Cultivar x                                                                             **       NA       **     **      NA                                    Year                                                                           interaction                                                                    Year(s) data                                                                           1986     1986     1986   1986    1988                                  was     1987              1988   1987                                          collected                        1988                                          ______________________________________                                          .sup.1 Color ratings based on a visual scale of color with; 9 = green          color and 1 = brown color.                                                     *, ** Significant at the 0.05 and 0.01 level of probability, respectively

                  TABLE 11                                                         ______________________________________                                         Comparative height of unmowed plots and sod strength of MS-Express             and nine other bermudagrasses.                                                 ______________________________________                                                        Plant Measurement                                                                Unmoved   Sod                                                 Bermudagrass     Height    Strength                                            Entry            cm        lbs                                                 ______________________________________                                         Arizona Common   31.7.sup.1                                                                               26.8.sup.2                                          Tufcote          8.7       39.3                                                Midiron          5.7       39.5                                                Tifway II        5.0       121.5                                               MS-Choice        4.3       65.5                                                Texturf 10       4.3       77.8                                                Tifway           4.3       95.2                                                MS-Express       4.0       86.7                                                MS-Pride         4.0       157.7                                               Tifgreen         3.3       74.7                                                LSD (0.05)       1.8       34.5                                                Mean             7.5       78.5                                                Entry x Year Interaction                                                                        NA        NS                                                  Year(s) data was collected                                                                      1986      1987                                                                           1988                                                Location         Las Cruces                                                                               Starkville                                                           New Mexico                                                                               Mississippi                                         ______________________________________                                          .sup.1 The shoot height was determined by measuring the height of the          grass at its maximum length above the soil surface.                            .sup.2 Sod strength was determined by measuring the amount of force (lbs)      required to shear an 18 × 24 × 1" section of sod.            

                  TABLE 12                                                         ______________________________________                                         Comparative turf mortality due to winter kill of MS-Express and nine           other bermudagrasses.sup.1.                                                                   Year                                                            Bermudagrass     1987    1988                                                  Entry            % turf mortality                                              ______________________________________                                         Tufcote          0.sup.2 0                                                     Tifgreen         3.3     1.7                                                   MS-Express       1.7     5.0                                                   Texturf 10       3.3     10.0                                                  MS-Pride         5.0     25.0                                                  Midiron          11.7    11.7                                                  Tifway           5.0     36.7                                                  Tifway II        5.0     36.7                                                  MS-Choice        11.7    36.7                                                  Arizona Common   35.0    88.3                                                  LSD (0.05)       11.6    12.9                                                  Mean             8.2     25.2                                                  ______________________________________                                          .sup.1 Field plot were located in Beltsville, MD.                              .sup.2 The % of plot area lost to low temperature killed was based on a        visual evaluation of turf lost immediately following spring greenup in         May.                                                                     

                  TABLE 13                                                         ______________________________________                                         Comparative leafspot (Helminthosporium spp.) and dollarspot                    (Sclerotinia spp.) disease resistance of MS-Express and nine other             bermudagrasses.                                                                Bermudagrass  Disease Rating                                                   Entry         Helminthosporium                                                                            Dollar Spot                                         ______________________________________                                         MS-Pride      8.8.sup.1    8.4                                                 MS-Express    8.7          7.7                                                 Tifgreen      8.3          7.3                                                 Tifway II     8.3          8.5                                                 Texturf 10    8.2          8.7                                                 Tifway        8.2          8.7                                                 MS-Choice     7.9          6.4                                                 Midiron       7.8          8.7                                                 Tufcote       7.0          8.8                                                 Arizona Common                                                                               6.2          8.6                                                 LSD (0.05)    0.73         0.83                                                Mean          7.9          8.2                                                 Entry x Year  **           **                                                  Interaction                                                                    Year(s) data was                                                                             1986         1986                                                collected     1988         1988                                                ______________________________________                                          .sup.1 Disease rating based on a visual scale of 1 to 9; with 9 = no           disease damage (excellent disease resistance) and 1 = high incidence of        disease damage (poor disease resistance).                                      *, ** Significant at the 0.05 and 0.01 level of probability, respectively                                                                                

What is claimed is:
 1. A Bermudagrass plant substantially as described and illustrated in the specification herein. 